Coppell's Reading lead way in The Championship

After the third round of the FA Cup and with the last phase of the campaign looming, struggling teams will seek to find clear waters and those chasing honours will be keen for an added boost.

Hence, the coming and goings in the managerial field will probably be on the increase for these clubs to reach their targets.

To date there have been seven changes of manager in The Championship with four of them coming in the pre-season.

Teams from the second grade of the English game have always produced a good number of giant-killing acts in KO competitions, collecting scalps of Premiership sides.

But, on the other side of the coin, teams from this division have also been defeated by lesser opponents from League One and Two.

The Championship outfits, like those from the top flight, started their FA Cup adventure from the third round.

To date, only three Premiership clubs have fallen by the wayside, when Leicester defeated Tottenham 3-2 at home and Reading toppled West Brom 3-2 after extra time in a replay in London. Leyton Orient, of League Two, came up with the biggest act of all, beating Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage.

The only Division One side to suffer elimination was Sheffield United. They went down 1-2 to Colchester, of League One, at Bramall Lane.

In the League Cup, the victims have overtaken the vanquishers as follows (club from lower divisions are listed):

For - Fourth round: Doncaster-Aston Villa 3-0. Third round: Crystal Palace-Liverpool 2-1, Doncaster-Manchester City 3-0 on penalties after 1-1 draw. Second round: Gillingham-Portsmouth 3-2, Grimsby-Tottenham 1-0.

Against - Second round: Barnet-Plymouth 2-1, Mansfield-Southampton 1-0. First round: Blackpool-Hull 2-1, Derby-Grimsby 0-1, Ipswich-Yeovil 0-2, Lincoln-Crewe 5-1, Mansfield-Stoke 3-0 on penalties after 1-1 draw, Northampton-QPR 3-0, Preston-Barnsley 4-5 on penalties after 2-2 draw, Shrewsbury-Brighton 3-2.

In the league, Reading, managed by Steve Coppell, are sitting on top of the tree with a seven-point cushion on second-placed Sheffield United.

The Royals of the Madejski Stadium came very close to reach the play-offs last term but only managed to finish just one place behind the top six.

Reading have never been in the top flight and that will indeed be a feather in the cap for Coppell and the lads if they had to continue on the right track.

Reading have only lost once in the league so far. Sheffield United led the way in the first phase of the campaign, before being overtaken by Reading.

Yet, the Blades of Bramall Lane, can still clinch that automatic promotion place if they finish in second place. Manager Neil Warnock, who at one time during the campaign was being looked at as a probable candidate for the Southampton job, stayed loyal with United, having been at the helm since 2000.

The demoted trio from the Premiership, Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Southampton, are finding the going tough, although Palace are fifth and in the play-offs zone.

Holding on to their main asset, attacker Andy Johnson, can be Palace's trump card to bounce back.

Much more was expected from the Canaries and the Saints.

Southampton, after signing Harry Redknapp from main south coast rivals Portsmouth, decided to send him back and opted for George Burley, who was sacked at Hearts.

The Saints' poor away form can be the main reason why they will have to try again next season for a return to the Premiership.

Taylor's dual role

League One champions Luton Town are comfortably placed in mid-table, but other automatic promoted side Hull City are struggling to keep their status.

The Hatters' manager Mike Newell has been in the news lately not for the way his side have stood up with the new pressures but for alleging that he was offered bungs in his playing days.

Hull, managed by England Under-21 coach Peter Taylor, could do better if the boss had to take solely charge of the club.

Leeds United and Watford, former Premiership members, are distanced from the top two.

Yet, with more than 15 matches still to play, they will have to contend for a place in the play-offs if they fail to bridge that gap.

Leeds fans were glad that new club owner Ken Bates has stuck to manager Keith Blackwell.

Watford, who last season ended four places above the relegation zone, also held on to their manager Adrian Boothroyd. After showing he was good enough to steer the Hornets to safe waters, his side is now battling for a play-off place.

Wolves, in their first full season under Glenn Hoddle, can show more commitment, especially at home.

They have only won six matches in front of their own fans and if they can improve on these performances Wolves can figure in the deciders.

The transfer of Scottish striker Kenny Miller (will join Celtic in the summer) will not hamper the front line, since Leon Clarke, Carl Cort, Ki-Hyeon Seol and George Ndah, when fit, can all do a good job when called upon.

It is not a common sight to see both Sheffield sides in the same division.

Before, the 'Sheffield seesaw' worked to perfection on many an occasion... when one side went up the other derby rival was relegated that same season.

Wednesday were promoted via the play-offs. The Owls are coached by ex-Southampton boss Paul Sturrock. He has the skills needed to keep the team up this time and then launch a promotion push next year.